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fun music connection
Mandisa on Modesty
Music reviews fresh from ec • by Kevin Sparkman
By Tifany Borgelt
Nowhere is appearance
more highly valued than in
the ­entertainment industry.
Whether you’re a singer, actor,
model, or whatever, physical
beauty and the display of it
seems to be what makes or
breaks a person’s career.
For those of us who live in
the real world—where camera
crews and microphones don’t
follow our every move—we
fortunately don’t have to worry
about our looks making or
breaking us. But what happens
when you are a Christian whom
God has given a platform upon
which millions of people look?
Are the standards different
then?
Simon Cowell blasted
Mandisa Hundley several times
during the audition process
during season 5 of “American
Idol.” He later apologized, and
Mandisa ended up as a top 10
finalist that season. Her first
album, “True Beauty,” released
in 2007 and garnered both
Grammy and Dove Award
nominations. “Freedom”
released in March 2009.
iPod Picks:
“Hole in my pocket” may
be the best female vocal
performance of 2009!
“I Will Write You Letters”
is a feel-good song that
proves Lippard’s maturity
beyond her years.
Joy Lippard
Joy Lippard
(independent artist)
In a world of
pop princesses,
Joy Lippard
shines because
of her depth
and originality.
In your world, modesty is probably
a synonym for unfashionable and
lame. That’s not quite the truth,
though. ec recently caught up
with Mandisa, singer and former
“American Idol” contestant to
chat about modesty and why it
matters—onstage and off.
Mandisa: To me, modesty is humility. I believe
humility can be seen in one’s attitude, speech,
and appearance.
Read more thoughts about
modesty on our blog:
(ecmagazine.blogspot.com).
62  |  jul 2009  ec  magazine
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Weeding through the Name:
mediocre artistry of today’s
reality show contests and
everyday home-grown
talents, we find a shining
star in singer/songwriter Joy
Lippard. The self-titled debut
release showcases a fully
armed performer as she
delivers with pen, piano, and
power-pop vocals that rise
above anything you would
expect from a mic-wielding
18-year-old. But she has been
songwriting since the tender
age of 11. Check out Joy
online at www.joylippard.com. Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Daytime phone:
E-mail:
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Signature:
Flynn Adam Such a Time  (Gotee Records)
ec: Modesty. What do you think of when you
hear that word?
Find Mandisa online:
mandisa.sparrowrecords.com
myspace.com/mandisa
Visit ecmagazine.blogspot.com
and find us on Facebook!
ec: Because you have been very outspoken
about your Christian faith both on “American
Idol” and beyond, do you think that the world
holds you to a different standard in how you
present yourself, in how you look and what you
say?
Mandisa: On “American Idol” I learned that
there is always someone watching you. That is
especially true in a world where living by bibli-
cal values is not the norm. This is true for me,
because of the fame I was given by being on the
iPod Picks:
most popular television show in America. But
this is also true for every Christian who chooses
to live their lives in a way that would be pleas-
ing to God. Some people refer to me as a “star.”
Philippians 2:14-15 says that you are a star, too!
ec: Given that there is a certain level of self
promotion in the entertainment world, how does
modesty play into how you present yourself?
Mandisa: I have learned that just as
Philippians 2 says, God will promote those who
wa k in humility. Certainly if Jesus, being in very
nature God, could humble Himself to serve
humanity by His death, [then] I can present
myself in humility and allow God to promote me.
I am fully aware that everything good I am, have,
and have done is because of the Holy Spirit’s
work in me and God’s favor on me.
ec: Is modesty just an attitude of the heart? In
other words, if your heart is right before God,
does it really matter what you wear?
Mandisa: I believe that if your heart truly is the
Lord’s, it will affect what you do. If my heart is
right with the Lord, I won’t want to say certain
things, wear certain things, or act in certain
ways. I would want to live my life in a way that
reflects well on Him.
“Dishes”
& “Such a
Time”
Flynn adam’s sound
is part party music,
part thoughtful
lyrics.
if you like Gnarls Barkley, you’ll love Flynn Adam. Adam, a
member of LA Symphony, a Christian hip hop group, has created a
release that honors his hip hop background, but also establishes a
more alternative sound. Adam counts the new album as an important
milestone in his journey of faith: “I have a better picture of who God is by just being honest and
upright with Him through this journey.” Learn more at www.myspace.com/flynnadam.
Robert Pierre  Identity  (thinkaboutit Records)
iPod Picks:
“Get Up” &
“Elementary”
this album is a true reflection of an ordinary 16-year-old
Robert Pierre
doesn’t let the world Florida boy finding an extraordinary identity through Jesus Christ.
define his identity or There is, however, nothing ordinary about Robert Pierre’s talent.
Pierre delivers the ballads flawlessly (“I Will Love You” and “I’ll Be
his sound.
There”) while turning a 180 with a slate of edgy pop/rock tunes to
round out this project. Coming from the heart of a teenager, there’s no question where Robert’s
“Identity” lies. For more, see Robert online: www.robertpierre.com.
Seventh Day Slumber  Take Everything  (BEC)
iPod Picks:
“Take
Everything” &
“Carry Me”
Not only does this album feature a new spin on worship
standards known the world over, but when you consider the life
Seventh Day Slumber frontman Joseph Rojas has been delivered
from as a daily cocaine addict, it will put an entirely new
perspective on this worship experience. On “Carry Me,” you hear
the soul of this hard rocker crying out to Jesus and offering an
anthem for people suffering from hard stuff. More online: wwwseventhdayslumber.com.
Bottom line: This
album invites us to
deeper relationships
with Christ, even in
hard times.
Various Artists  Hip Hope Hits 2009  (Gotee Records)
iPod Picks:
“When It Feels
Right” &
“One World”
For the fifth time, Gotee Records releases one of the most
anticipated hip hop records of the year. In the vein of popular
compilation formats, Gotee comes strong with its ‘09 version
featuring favorites tobyMac, KJ-52, GRITS, Verbs, and Pettidee.
The compilation’s cohesive sound is a testament to the mutualr espect between artists like
these in the tight-knit Christian hip hop community.
This compilation is
full of the best of
the best.
ec  magazine  jul 2009  |  63